Formaldehyde added to the Known to Be Human Carcinogens List

The Report on Carcinogens (RoC) is a congressionally mandated, science-based, public health document that is prepared for the HHS Secretary by the National Toxicology Program.

The big news is that formaldehyde has been added to the Known to Be Human Carcinogens list. Formaldehyde may be used in many things we come in contact with on a daily basis like carpeting, wood products, glue, nail polish, hair products, even beer. That “new car smell” with which we are so enamored may just be caused by formaldehyde. Unfortunately, even though it is present, formaldehyde doesn't have to be listed as an ingredient. This action may change all that. At the very least, you can expect more products to advertise the fact that they are Formaldehyde Free.

Formaldehyde has been a suspected substance for years. This report makes it official—and raises a red flag. The real threat is to those who are exposed to the chemical on a daily basis in their workplace; most notably mortuary workers.

When we read that formaldehyde had been included, however, it made us real curious to know what else was on that potentially lethal list. If you had the same thought, here is the full list:

r

r

Substances Listed in the Twelfth Report on Carcinogens

r

Bold entries indicate new or changed listings in the Twelfth Report on Carcinogens.